College Football

Manziel impressive, but Alabama gets revenge

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Alabama football program Nick Saban built has accomplished an astounding share of phenomenal feats:

Back-to-back national championships. Three titles in the past four years. The school’s first Heisman Trophy winner. Fourteen first-round draft choices.

But Saturday, the Crimson Tide, arguably, turned in their most unbelievable feat:

Alabama managed to offset a sensational, Heisman Trophy-worthy performance by Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who accounted for five touchdowns and 562 of his team’s 628 yards, to survive with a 49-42 win that begs for a rematch.

Manziel, whose offseason has been part Lindsay Lohan/part Cam Newton, remains the most unstoppable force in college football. His last move of the day was his most unpredictable:

Manziel faced reporters for the first time since the start of the season. He stood tall.

“I thought I came out less nervous today than in the other games,’’ said Manziel, the first freshman to win the Heisman. “What did we have to lose? They’re the No. 1 team in the country.’’

Only the No. 1 team in the country, the defending national champion Crimson Tide (2-0), which boasts the best coach in college football, could survive Johnny Football, the sixth-ranked Aggies and one of the most intense home fields in the game.

Last season, the Crimson Tide fell behind 20-0 before rallying to fall short 29-24.

This time, the Aggies, spurred on by 87,596 towel-waving maniacs at Kyle Field, jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Alabama scored 35 straight and appeared to have the game in hand.

But no game is safe when Manziel is the opposing quarterback.

He threw two touchdown passes in less than 5 ¹/₂ minutes, the second a 95-yard catch-and-run to 6-foot-5 receiver Mike Evans (seven catches for 279 yards) to bring the Aggies (2-1) to within 42-35 with 8:04 left.

“No matter what point of the game, no matter what happens on defense or special teams, I kept telling my teammates, ‘It’s not over,’ ’’ said Manziel, who was 28-of-39 passing for 464 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 98 yards on 14 carries.

Nevertheless, Alabama’s relied on its winning DNA, instilled by Saban.

The Crimson Tide did what they do best, rushing for 234 yards and balancing that with a precision passing attack. A.J. McCarron was almost flawless, completing 20-of-29 passes for 334 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

“Everyone tried to make it out to be about a 61-year-old coach against a 20-something quarterback,’’ Saban said. “We didn’t stand much of a chance.’’

No defense has a chance against Manziel. The only chance is that he beats himself, which he did twice.

With the score 14-14, Manziel made a horrible read, throwing to the corner. The ball was intercepted by Cyrus Jones. Alabama scored on the ensuing possession.

His second interception was a crusher. A throw over the middle was deflected and picked by Sal Sunseri. He cut back, making Manziel miss, and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and a 35-14 lead with 12:41 left in the third.

“No worries for me,’’ Manziel said. “No regrets.’’

The only regrets Manziel might have came since winning the Heisman on Dec. 8. He was spotted partying in clubs and casinos, having his picture taken with celebrities and posting outrageous tweets.

Then his eligibility was endangered when it was reported he had been paid to autograph sports paraphernalia. Manziel lawyered up. His family spoke up. The NCAA messed up, and Manziel was suspend for the first half of the season opener against Rice.

In that game, Manziel mimed signing autographs before receiving a taunting penalty for showing up Rice players by pointing at the scoreboard, which showed A&M with a huge lead. His coach, Kevin Sumlin, pulled Manziel and gave him an earful. Manziel seemingly ignored him.

“Johnny Manziel is a great, great competitor and an outstanding playmaker on the field,’’ Saban said. “He makes a lot of plays.’’

That can’t be denied, but neither can Alabama.